Parker County voters approve transportation bond, vote down Springtown, Poolville ISD bonds
Nov. 8—WEATHERFORD — Results from the Nov. 7 election were a mixed bag, with approval of a transportation bond and the failing of two school district bond propositions.
Parker County residents approved a bond amount not to exceed $130 million to be used to improve transportation, including traffic congestion and safety.
The bond passed with more than 13,700 in favor, or 58.85%.
Parker County Judge Pat Deen said he'd spoken with Weatherford Mayor Paul Paschal and other community leaders following the results.
"We're all excited it passed," he said, "and this has brought our community together through the various projects.
"When you're growing this fast, it really does take a proactive approach."
A good portion of the 32 projects identified within the four precincts will address safety and connectivity, to help alleviate congestion along Interstate 20 as the county and state organizations prepare for the future widening of the major thoroughfare.
"If this bond had failed, adding a lane [to I-20] would mean nothing," Deen said. "But it's all fit together like a puzzle. We've got great leaders, and an intelligent, conservative [commissioners] court that's doing all the right things.
"I'm really excited about the future of this."
Two other local issues included bond propositions by both Poolville and Springtown ISDs, both of which failed.
Poolville ISD came within three votes in Parker County of its $45 million proposition, which would have covered the cost of a new campus for grades PreK through second to alleviate overcrowding at the current elementary. The plans did include future expansion of the new campus to add third, fourth and fifth graders.
A little over 50 percent (285) of Parker County voters said no to the bond, compared to 282 voters in favor. The difference in Wise County was more stark, with 77.8%, or 109 voters, against the bond.
"Thank you to the many parents, community members and PISD employees who helped identify our school district's facility needs and who volunteered their time and resources to help communicate these needs to our community," the district said in a statement Wednesday morning. "These identified needs will not go away.... they will continue to present our district with both facility and academic challenges as we move forward. With the proven support of our parents and our dedicated staff members, we will continue to provide the traditions, values, and academic achievement our community expects from Poolville ISD."
Springtown ISD was seeking voter approval for a $120.78 million proposition to construct a new middle school, convert the intermediate into a fourth elementary campus and create a ninth grade center to encompass an increase in enrollment.
Between Wise and Parker County voters, the bond failed with more than 57% against (2,280 votes).
Springtown Superintendent Shane Strickland issued an apology Tuesday night to the community for the results.
"We will continue to do what's best for our students and stakeholders," he said in a statement. "The duties and responsibilities that you perform daily for our students will not go unrecognized. Thank you for what you will do tomorrow and for the remainder of the year for our future society!"
Visit https://www.parkercountytx.com/482/Election-Results for the full results from Tuesday night.
